Composition of matter for coloring flames



Patented Mar. 11, 193d i ERT GILES TANNER, OF EUGENE, OREGON COMPOSITIONOF MATTER FOB COLORING ES 'IoDrawmg. Application filed June 1,

The object of my invention is the production of a composition of matterwhich on being added to a fire such as a camp-fire, fireplace-fire, andthe like, will artistically va :plor the flames for a considerableperiod of I am aware that various compounds and elements have been usedto produce colored flames, such as for example copper, sodium,

barium, lithium, zinc, boron, and many others in various forms andmixture, but such have the disadvantage in that the time period ofproducing a colored flame is comparatively short. My invention dealswith such substances broadly and relates particularly to the preparationof a composition of matter which will color a flame more permanently.For the sake of brevity it is suflicient to consider copper asillustrative and as equivalent to this type of substance.

I have found that better results than ever before can be obtained byusing chemically combined copper, such as for example copper sulphate,copper oxide, copper sulphide, copper chloride, etc., as well as byusing finely divided copper itself, mixed with one or more chloridesless volatile than ammonium chloride, such as for example zinc chloride,calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, strontium chloride, bariumchloride, tin chloride,

potassium chloride, sodium chloride, etc.

The prolonged effect which is the object of my invention, is furtherenhanced by using the composition of matter in the shape of lumps, asopposed to the use of grains. By the word lumps I mean to includeirregularly shaped pieces as well as those definitely shaped. By usingthe composition of matter. in the form of lumps the rate which the colorproducing portion can volatilize is thereby reduced with consequentlengthening of the time during which the flame is colored.

In shaping the composition of matter into lumps I have made use ofcementing materials such as plaster of Paris, tar, starch,

Portland cement, clay, water-glass, etc.

I have also found that the presence of an inert ingredient such as clay,plaster of Paris,

59 charcoal, etc., retards volatilization of the was. Serial m. 84,229.

color producing portion, thus prolonging the color efi'ects.

As an example of the composition of mat-' for which I have invented andwhich is the subject of this application for patent, I submit thefollowing: 4 chemical equivalents of slowly volatile chloride orchlorides, 1 chemical equivalent of finely divided metallic copper orchemically combined copper, inert material and cementing material equalin bulk to the other ingredients just indicated. More specifically, Imix 1 chemical equivalent of zinc chloride (68 parts by weight), 1chemical equivalent of magnesium chloride hexahydrate (101 parts byweight), 2 chemical equivalents of potassium chloride (150 parts byweight), 1 chemical equivalent of copper sulphate crystals (125 parts byweight), and a bulk of plaster of Paris equal to the bulk of theingredients just specified. Good results however can. be had when theingredients are varied within the following limits: 1/100 to 10 chemicalequivalents of slowly volatile chloride or chlorides; 1 chemicalequivalent of finely divided metallic copper or chemically combinedcopper; inert material and cementin material up to times the bulk of allot er ingredients.

By the phrase slowly volatile chloride I refer to a chloride which isslowly volatile when compared to ammonium chloride.

In preparing the composition the ingredients are mixed with a quantityof water suilicient to form a stiff paste of such consistency as toallow it to be shaped into pel lets, briquettes, etc.

The inert material and cementing material and the shaping of thecomposition of matter into lumps may be omitted in some cases where achea er product is desired, but then the compositlon 1s less efiicient.

Altho I have set forth a preferred embodiment of my invention andvarious details and equivalents pertaining thereto, I do not wish tolimit 111 self to it exact but include such modificatlons as will occurand be within the scope of the invention and of the claims.

This composition of matter is to be distinguished' from those producingcolored flames commonly used for signalling, pyrotechnics, and the likein that the latter con- 1 1. A composition of matter adapted to "so Mincombustible material and an oxidizing agent. My invention diflers fromany such composition in that neither a combustible indient nor oxidizinga ent is required.-

producing {a colored flame comprising 4 chemicalequivalents of slowlvolatile chloride or chlorides; 1 chemica equivalent of metallic copperor chemically combined copper; anda bulk of plaster of Paris equal tothe bulk of'all other ingredients.

2. A composition of matter consisting of a mixture of parts b wei ht ofzinc chloride; 101 parts by weight hydrated magnesium chlbride; 150parts by weight of potassiumchloride; 125 parts by weight of hydratedcopper sulphate; and 300 parts by weight of plaster OFQPRMIS.

3. A pyrptechnic'article of manufacture comprislngffiamecolorant'fashioned into a coherent mass which is non-flammable and as awhole non-combustible.

to be nonammable and combustible;

yrjotechnie article of manufacture comprising}; flame colorant material,and

inert material fashioned into a lump which is sufiicientl free fromcombustible matter as a whole. non- 5. A-pyr otechnic article ofmanufacture comprising flame colorant, and halide in chemical excess ofthe colorant, the article being suficiently free from combustible matter to be non-flammable and as a whole non= -combustible. j 4 6. Apyrotechnic unitary article of manufa'cture'comprising halide adherentto flame 'colorant material, the halide being in chemical excess of thecolorant and the article be- ---ing-non-'flainmable and as a'wholenon-combusti'ble.

" combustible matter to 7. A pyrotechnic article of manufacturecomprising a mixture of halides of differing volatility and copper, thearticle being nonflam'm'able' and as a whole non-combustible. no

8 A pyrotechnic article of manufacture comprising a mixture of halidescoherent with flame colorant material and inert material', the articlebein sufiiciently free from fle non-flammable and as a wholenon-combustible.

9. A pyrotechnic article of manufacture msoeri comprising a mixture ofhalides of which one is slowly volatile, flame colorant, inert material, and bondin agent, fashioned into coherent mass which isnon-flammable and as a whole non-combustible.

10. A process of coloring flames comprising applying to burningsubstance coherent units which as a whole are non-combustible andnon-crystalline and contain material comprising flame colorant. I

11. The ste in the process of manufacturing a nonammable pyrotechnicarticle whereby flame colorant material is made adherent to halide inchemical excess or" the colorant.

12. The step in the process of manuiactur ing non-flammable pyrotechnicunits whereby flame colorant is made coherent in con tact with halide inchemical excess of the colorant and inert ingredient.

13. A pyrotechnic article of manufacture comprising flame colorantcoherent with a mixture of halides.

14. A process of coloring flames comprising applying to burningsubstance unitary lumps which as a whole are non-combustible andnon-crystalline and coherent with material comprising flame colorant,inert ma= terial, and halide,

15. A pyrotechnic article of manufacture which is non-flammable andnon-combustible comprising solid flame colorant particles stuck togetherwith a binder.

16. The step in the process of manufactur ing a non-flammable andnon-combustible flame colorant mass, wherein solid flame colorantmaterial is made coherent by a binder. I

17. A flame colorant unit operative by burning embers, which as a wholeis non flammable, non-crystalline and comprises flame colorantingredient coherent and in contact with admixed halide.

18. The process comprising compacting substantially dry flame colorantand halide into a discrete unit and applying the unit to embers.

HERBERT GILES TANNER.

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